AN INVESTIGATION ON THE SESSION OF THE BRITISH ARMY FOR THE BUDGET OF 1920-1921 IN PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN

Abstract

Great Britain had a small army as well as a large navy before the First World War. However, this situation has changed with the First World War and the British Army started to grow. The mandatory military system has been introduced since 1916 and the number of soldiers has increased rapidly. The destruction brought by the First World War shook Great Britain, the winner of the war, economically. The size and rising costs of the army have frequently sparked controversy in Parliament of Great Britain. While the British Government wanted to increase the army budget in order to maintain the order established after the war and to defend the empire, the opposition opposed it due to the poor economy. This situation of Great Britain has also affected the National Struggle that started in Anatolia. Great Britain, which was in financial difficulties, hat to use Greece to get the Treaty of Sevres to the Ankara Government. This situation has benefited the Ankara Government because it caused the deterioration between Great Britain and her allies. Criticism of army costs in the country has significantly affected Great Britain’s initiatives towards Russia, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia and Anatolia. In the session held in the House of Commons of Great Britain about army budget, besides the army budget, the British Government’s policies on Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Russia, the Caucasus and India were discussed.